December 7th 2012 – Bank of Ireland today (Friday, 7th December 2012) announced details of its new Pay to Mobile service, which is due to launch to its customers early in the New Year. An enhancement to Bank of Ireland's Mobile Banking app, Pay to Mobile allows customers to transfer money safely and quickly to family and friends with a registered Bank of Ireland account, simply by using their mobile phone number. Customers are invited to register now for this service so they are ready to use Pay to Mobile as soon as it launches.

Bank of Ireland will be the first bank to offer this service to its customers in the Republic of Ireland. This follows significant investment in its online channels during 2012 which has already seen the launch of online products, secure messaging and eStatements in the past number of months. The original mobile banking app was launched in May 2012, and is already being used by over 160,000 Bank of Ireland customers, with almost 30% using the App on a daily basis.

According to latest industry figures, individual Smartphone adoption in Ireland is now at 43% and predicted to climb to 71 % by the end of December 2012*.

Commenting on the announcement of Pay to Mobile today, Gavin Kelly, Head of Direct Channels, Bank of Ireland, said: "Today's announcement is the latest enhancement we've made in response to changing customer needs and our commitment to offer smarter banking solutions. We recognise that our customers want greater control and Pay to Mobile is a simple way for our customers to transfer money to friends or family without having to know, or input, their card or account details."

Bank of Ireland is calling on its customers to register for this new service today ahead of its launch in the New Year. Customers can read more and learn how to register for this service on www.bankofireland.com/paytomobile

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker